---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 13508"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "13508"
heading: "Limited authority over cooperative associations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/13508"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Interstate Transportation"
  - "Part B — Motor Carriers, Water Carriers, Brokers, and Freight Forwarders"
  - "Chapter 135 — Jurisdiction"
  - "Subchapter I — Motor Carrier Transportation"
---

# §13508. Limited authority over cooperative associations

- (a) **In General.—** Notwithstanding [section 13506(a)(5)](/usc/49/13506.md?p=a-5), any cooperative association (as defined by section 15(a) of the Agricultural Marketing Act ([12 U.S.C. 1141j(a)](/usc/12/1141j.md?p=a))) or a federation of cooperative associations shall prepare and maintain such records relating to [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) provided by such association or federation, in such form as the [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) or the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may require by regulation to carry out the provisions of such [section 13506(a)(5)](/usc/49/13506.md?p=a-5). The [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) or the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1), or an employee designated by the [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) or the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1), may on demand and display of proper credentials—
  - (1) inspect and examine the lands, buildings, and equipment of such association or federation; and
  - (2) inspect and copy any record of such association or federation.
- (b) **Reports.—** Notwithstanding [section 13506(a)(5)](/usc/49/13506.md?p=a-5), the [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) or the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may require a cooperative association or federation of cooperative associations described in [subsection (a)](#a) of this section to file reports with the [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) or the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) containing answers to questions about [transportation](/usc/49/10102.md?p=9) provided by such association or federation.
- (c) **Enforcement.—** The [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) or the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) may bring a civil action to enforce subsections [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) of this section or a regulation or order of the [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) or the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1) issued under this section, when violated by a cooperative association or federation of cooperative associations described in [subsection (a)](#a).
- (d) **Reporting Penalties.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** A [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) required to make a report to the [Secretary](/usc/49/13102.md?p=20) or the [Board](/usc/49/10102.md?p=1), answer a question, or maintain a record under this section, or an officer, agent, or employee of that [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18), that—
    - (A) does not make the report;
    - (B) does not specifically, completely, and truthfully answer the question; or
    - (C) does not maintain the record in the form and manner prescribed under this section;

    is liable to the [United States](/usc/49/10102.md?p=10) for a civil penalty of not more than $500 for each violation and for not more than $250 for each additional day the violation continues.

  - (2) **Venue.—** Trial in a civil action under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) shall be in the judicial district in which—
    - (A) the cooperative association or federation of cooperative associations has its principal office;
    - (B) the violation occurred; or
    - (C) the offender is found.

    Process in the action may be served in the judicial district of which the offender is an inhabitant or in which the offender may be found.

- (e) **Evasion Penalties.—** A [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18), or an officer, employee, or agent of that [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18), that by any means knowingly and willfully tries to evade compliance with the provisions of this section shall be fined at least $200 but not more than $500 for the first violation and at least $250 but not more than $2,000 for a subsequent violation.
- (f) **Recordkeeping Penalties.—** A [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18) required to make a report, answer a question, or maintain a record under this section, or an officer, agent, or employee of that [person](/usc/49/13102.md?p=18), that—
  - (1) willfully does not make that report;
  - (2) willfully does not specifically, completely, and truthfully answer that question in 30 days from the date that the question is required to be answered;
  - (3) willfully does not maintain that record in the form and manner prescribed;
  - (4) knowingly and willfully falsifies, destroys, mutilates, or changes that report or record;
  - (5) knowingly and willfully files a false report or record under this section;
  - (6) knowingly and willfully makes a false or incomplete entry in that record about a business-related fact or transaction; or
  - (7) knowingly and willfully maintains a record in violation of a regulation or order issued under this section;

  shall be fined not more than $5,000.


## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 103, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 863.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 10529 of this title prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.